CEPIA in Action | Inside everything that happened
Maria da Penha Law Consortium progresses in the construction of a general law on gender violence
On June 3rd and 17th, the Maria da Penha Law Consortium held meetings with various feminist organizations to continue the construction of a proposal for a General Law on gender violence against women. The meetings served to incorporate new suggestions into the text of the proposal, as well as to discuss possibilities for face-to-face meetings to help advance the drafting of the Law.
The meetings also discussed strategies for dialogue with parliamentarians from the progressive camp, the holding of a seminar to be promoted by the Commission for the Defense of Women’s Rights, and the challenges faced in the National Congress to prevent setbacks in the rights already won in the fight against gender violence.
Brazilian Lawyers’ Institute approves appointment of amicus curiae against law that restricts access to legal abortion
On the 25th of June, the Brazilian Lawyers’ Institute (IAB) held a Plenary Session in which it approved the appointment of amicus curiae N.036/2025, with rapporteur Leila Linhares Barsted and presented by president Rita Cortez, against Law No. 8.936, of June 12th, 2025. The nomination questions the unconstitutionality of the law, which restricts women’s right to access legal abortion.
The same session also approved a statement opposing Bill No. 2.725/2025, authored by federal deputy Caroline de Toni (PL-SC), which proposes amending Law No. 7.716/1989 (Caó Law), granting amnesty to all those convicted of crimes of racism and prejudice.
Campaign: Criança Não é Mãe
The monthly meeting of the organizations that make up the Campaign Criança Não é Mãe (Child is Not a Mother), a collective of civil society organizations committed to defending the democratic rule of law, promoting gender justice and comprehensive child protection, took place on June 4th. The initiative works to eradicate child pregnancy in Brazil and ensure that no child is forced to carry on a pregnancy or take on parental responsibilities. Through social mobilization, dialogue with public authorities and the production of knowledge, the Campaign seeks to ensure girls’ rights to childhood, health and dignity. CEPIA is part of the advocacy axis called FEMINIST.
Organizations warn of reversals in the reform of the Civil Code
On June 11th, the Women’s Commission of the Institute of Brazilian Lawyers (IAB) held a meeting with the aim of presenting and debating indications to be voted on by the Institute’s Plenary. Among them was the proposal for an amicus curiae brief against Municipal Law No. 8.936, of June 12th, 2025, of the city of Rio de Janeiro, on the grounds that it is unconstitutional and restricts women’s right to access legal abortion.
Resolutions 156 and 183 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) were also debated, concerning, respectively, the Convention on Equal Opportunities and Treatment for Workers with Family Responsibilities and the ratification of the Maternity Protection Convention.
SOURCE: Brazil: CEPIA in Action | Inside everything that happened, June 2025, published 17 July 2025.
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Sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics of pregnant women with unplanned pregnancy residing in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: a cross-sectional study
by Negli Gallardo-Alvarado, Joao V. Antunes Lopes, Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Miriam Camas-Castillo, Renato T. Souza, Luis Bahamondes
European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 2025;30:3. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2025.2457082
Abstract
Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the associated factors of planned and unplanned pregnancies (UPs) among pregnant women in São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 2023 to June 2024 and invited pregnant women aged 18 to 49 years. We used the Brazilian-validated version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy to assess pregnancy intentions. We estimated absolute and relative frequencies of planned and UPs by sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics. Bivariate and multiple regression analysis were performed to evaluate the associated factors for UPs.
Results:
We included 534 participants; 65.7% reported an UP. Black or Biracial vs White women (74% vs. 57%, p < 0.001), with 0 to 9 years vs. those with >9 of schooling (77% vs. 51%, p < 0.001), and single vs married women (85% vs. 48%, p < 0.001) were associated with UPs. Parous women or those reporting a younger age at their sexual debut were more commonly reported UPs. The associated factors to UPs were being Black or Biracial (Odds ratio [OR] 1.68, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.11;2.57), reporting fewer schooling years (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.01;2.54), not being married [(OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.53;3.84) for cohabiters and OR 5.23, 95% CI 2.93;9.74) for single] and reporting additional births (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07;1.56).
Conclusion: Black or Biracial, with fewer years of schooling, not married, and parous women were at a higher risk of unplanned pregnancies. These women tend to face structural barriers to planning the size and timing of their families, requiring actions like increasing tertiary education access and guaranteeing universal modern contraceptive availability to leverage these disadvantages and fulfil their sexual and reproductive rights.
From the Introduction: Between 2015 and 2019, it was estimated that 48% of pregnancies were unplanned worldwide. In Brazil, a nationwide study reported a prevalence of unplanned pregnancies (UPs) of 55.4%. Also, a study using data from 2010 in Brazil estimates 1.79 million UPs per year. Another study in one Brazilian city reported a prevalence of 62.7%, 65.9%, and 52.2% in 1993, 2004, and 2015, respectively. The fact that almost between five and six pregnancies out of 10 were UPs suggests that the fertility attained is higher than the fertility desired.
For the Latin American countries, the observed tendency from the second half of the 20th century is that fertility is higher among the less developed countries or settings and between the persons belonging to the lowest social strata. Studies have reported that younger and older women, race, either low years of schooling and/or income, not having a stable partner, father’s age, and father’s low schooling are positively associated with UPs. UPs tend to be associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes, such as premature birth, delaying antenatal care, not breastfeeding, or the worsening of their physical or mental health. Also, women reporting UPs may not be well prepared, less aware, and less willing to change some of their habits related to improving their nutrition, quitting smoking, or reducing/stopping alcohol and drug consumption.
Furthermore, UPs increase the economic burden on the health budget. A Brazil-based study estimated an annual cost of Brazilian currency of R$4.1 billion for UPs charged to the national health system and a R$2,293.00 cost for each UP. Therefore, due to the medical and social importance of UPs, our study aimed to assess the characteristics of women associated, and their magnitudes, with UPs among pregnant women residing in the state of São Paulo (SP), Brazil.